Anti-NMDA-receptor encephalitis as cause of refractory epilepsy – report of two cases

Background: A severe form of encephalitis, associated with antibodies against NR1-NR2 heteromers of the NMDA receptor was recently identified. This anti-NMDA-receptor encephalitis mainly affects young women. Patients present with psychosis and partial memory loss, rapidly progressing to multiple neurological deficits – epilepsy, dementia and stroke – requiring prolonged intensive care. These patients present frequently with a teratoma. Antibody titres can be detected in CSF and serum. This potentially life-threatening encephalitis represents a new category of an immune-mediated disorder that often results from p…